A34674:178
The Covenant of Grace
The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregational churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.The covenant of grace discovering the great work of a sinners reconciliation to God / by John Cotton ... ; whereunto are added Certain queries tending to accommodadation [sic] between the Presbyterian and Congregationall churches ; also a discussion of the civill magistrates power in matters of religion ; by the same author.
London: printed by M.S. for Francis Eglesfield and John Allen, 1655
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6 They are of use to stir up and provoke Christians to all such duties to which blessings are promised; they stir them up effectually. The Lord maketh a Promise, 2 Cor. 6.17,18. And mark what use the Apostle maketh of it, being a conditional Promise, Chap. 7.1. Having therefore these Promises, &c. let us, &c. implying, that the having of these Promises stirreth up Gods people unto duties; and the Lord is wont to breath in them, and so to set forwards the work of cleansing of the hearts and ways of his servants.
6 They are of use to stir up and provoke Christians to all such duties to which blessings are promised; they stir them up effectually. The Lord maketh a Promise, 2 Cor. 6.17,18. And mark what use the Apostle maketh of it, being a conditionall Promise, Chap. 7.1. Having therefore these Promises, &c. let us, &c. implying, that the having of these Promises stirreth up Gods people unto duties; and the Lord is wont to breath in them, and so to set forwards the work of cleansing of the hearts and wayes of his servants.
7 They are of use further, to strengthen Faith: for the Lord that hath made such Promises, will accomplish them for his Servants, Gen. 32.9,10. Jacob there putteth the Lord in mind of his Promise, and said, O God of my father Abraham, and God of my father Isaac, the Lord which saidst unto me, Return unto thy Country, and to thy Kindred, and I will deal well with thee; and he was now returned according to the appointment of God, but what now, doth he plead the condition? mind in the next words, I am not worthy the least of all the mercy, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed ⟨p. 102⟩unto thy Servant? yet now though he pleadeth not any worth at all, yet seeing the Lord had promised such a mercy to him, he prayeth for it, ver. 11. Deliver me I pray thee from the hand of my brother. Thus his faith is strengthened, though he doth not plead any worthiness to receive mercy. So also do absolute promises strengthen faith, and the prayer of faith,